Gabriel Jesus’ old Real Madrid setback could now lead him to Barcelona

Gabriel Jesus is close to joining Barcelona from Arsenal, almost four years after an administrative rule prevented him from moving to Real Madrid.

The proposed transfer could be completed in the coming hours, according to reports, taking the Brazilian striker back to La Liga but potentially in the colours of Real Madrid’s fiercest domestic rival.

Jesus had been close to joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2022. The club’s interest was strengthened by the positive opinion of then-manager Carlo Ancelotti and favourable technical reports on the forward’s ability.

However, Real Madrid ultimately abandoned the negotiations because Jesus did not hold a passport from a European Union country. The club had already used all three places available in its squad for players classified as non-EU nationals.

Those positions were occupied by Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao. At the time, all three were in the process of obtaining Spanish passports, but their applications had not yet been completed.

That left Real Madrid unable to register Jesus and make him available to play if the transfer went ahead. With the passport procedures taking longer than expected, the Spanish club decided to close the door on the deal.

Jesus subsequently joined Arsenal instead.

The issue was eventually resolved when Vinicius Junior received Spanish nationality in September 2022. Rodrygo and Militao followed later, bringing an end to the registration problem that had blocked Jesus’ move to Real Madrid.

The situation now gives Jesus the chance to return to Spanish football, but through Barcelona rather than the club that had first considered signing him. Barcelona are understood to have largely completed an agreement with Arsenal for the Brazilian’s transfer, with the move potentially becoming official shortly.

Jesus’ possible switch therefore adds an unusual twist to a deal that once appeared destined for Real Madrid. The forward had the backing of Ancelotti and had impressed the club’s technical department, yet the transfer was stopped by a squad-registration restriction rather than doubts about his footballing qualities.

Four years on, the same player could be heading to Spain after all. Instead of wearing the Real Madrid shirt, however, Jesus may now continue his career at Barcelona, turning a failed move to the capital into a possible transfer to the club’s historic rivals.

The episode also highlights how the status of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Eder Militao affected Real Madrid’s plans during that period. Their three non-EU squad places prevented the club from registering another Brazilian player, while the delay in securing Spanish passports left Jesus’ proposed move with no practical route forward.

What began as a missed opportunity for Real Madrid could soon become a significant piece of Barcelona’s business, with Jesus poised to return to La Liga in a very different context from the one originally envisaged.